Former Monterey fire chief, wife sentenced

Larry and Kimberly States, the husband and wife who stole more than $100,000 from the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department, were sentenced to prison Thursday in Schuyler County Court.

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By Derrick Ekek@the-leader.com

The Leader

By Derrick Ekek@the-leader.com

Posted Jan. 30, 2014 at 6:16 PM

By Derrick Ekek@the-leader.com

Posted Jan. 30, 2014 at 6:16 PM

WATKINS GLEN

Larry and Kimberly States, the husband and wife who stole more than $100,000 from the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department, were sentenced to prison Thursday in Schuyler County Court.

Larry States, 41, the former Monterey fire chief, was sentenced to 1.3 to 4 years in state prison by Judge Dennis Morris. States, also a former sergeant with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty in November to third-degree grand larceny.

Kimberly States, 46, the former treasurer of the Monterey Fire Department, was sentenced to one year in county jail on a third-degree grand larceny charge. She also pleaded guilty last year.

The States were ordered to pay restitution of $115,000.

They were arrested in January 2013 by New York State Police following an audit and investigation by the state Comptroller’s Office, which found they had embezzled the money over a five-year span and used it to pay for their mortgage, cell phones, groceries, concert tickets, family vacations and a personal vehicle.

The States were indicted on felony charges by a Schuyler County grand jury in June.

He was indicted on charges of third-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records and tampering with physical evidence.

She was indicted on charges of second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records.

They later accepted plea deals.

“It is always disturbing when a public official abuses his or her position for personal benefit, but it is particularly egregious when the fraud is committed by a member of law enforcement,” state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said in a statement. “I thank (Schuyler County) District Attorney Joseph Fazzary for his efforts to bring this couple to justice.”

Monterey Fire Chief Ed Lewis couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday, but he told The Leader last summer that the fire company’s finances deteriorated while the States were serving as chief and treasurer, Lewis said.

The fire company held a community parade and carnival last July to raise funds. The fire department has a $140,000 payment due in late 2016 on its fleet of vehicles, which includes two pumper/tankers, a brush truck and a rescue truck, Lewis told The Leader last summer.